Be ready for big-time prices for Super Bowl packages

Travel packages may be the way to see the Super Bowl live — though you'll pay for the privilege.

Packages available through the Seahawks Web site and advertised by a selection of travel agencies in town can start at about $1,000 (for a seat on a charter flight and admittance to a tailgate party only) to $3,349 per person (for an all-inclusive, one-day trip) to nearly $9,000 for a four-night stay if you get a hotel room by yourself, upgrade your game ticket to the max and add in a pre-game gala dinner, in addition to the other amenities.

"Remember that this is a once-in-a-lifetime experience," says Steve Pomranz, vice president of travel services for AAA Washington/Inland. "You want it to be a good experience; if you have to pay a little premium for that," he says, then it's worth it.

It's worth it, several travel agents and brokers echo, because trying to package a trip by yourself can be just as expensive and sometimes fraught with pitfalls — from hotel rooms that don't exist to faked tickets.

They all caution prospective travelers to pay attention to things that are common warnings in the industry these days: Make sure you know what you're getting (is a game ticket included in a package? a hotel room? a flight?); make sure what you pay in advance is totally refundable should the team not make it to the Super Bowl; pay with a credit card (which is easier in terms of refunds than cash or check).

Even the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) got in on the act today, issuing a warning to travelers to make sure they know whether a package includes a game ticket or not.

Gamegoers who are told they have a ticket and then don't get one may be entitled to a refund and should contact the DOT at airconsumer@dot.gov or by voice-mail at 202-366-2220.

As of today, AAA (www.aaawa.com/travel or 800-430-9001) had a three-night package available for about $4,400 per person, double occupancy. That price includes such things as hotel, roundtrip air, game ticket, tailgate party and transfers to the ballfield and the airport.

Pomranz said AAA has had inquiries about the package, but not many bookings, at least as of this morning.

He expects that to change, should the Seahawks win on Sunday. "We have a call center and we wouldn't be surprised to start getting calls Sunday night... " depending on what happens.

Doug Fox Travel (www.dougfoxsportstravel.com or 800-368-4369) has a Seahawks VIP same-day package available, meaning you fly in and out on game day. Today, it was listed at $3,349 per person and included a charter flight from Seattle, end-zone game ticket, transfers, program and tailgate party. Ticket upgrades were possible that could boost that package to more than $6,000. Without a Super Bowl ticket, the package was listed at $1,349.

Doug Fox also was listing a Seahawks 3 Night Standard Package for $4,399 (double occupancy), which also included airfare, hotel and game ticket. Again, travelers who chose to stay in a hotel room, single occupancy, and upgrade the game ticket would be paying more than $7,000 for a Super Bowl trip.

On the Seahawks official Web site (www.seahawks.com) the organization has a four-day package available starting at $4,099, with four people to a hotel room. But that package, changed to single occupancy, with a top seat upgrade and pre- and post-game festivities at the Detroit Athletic Club, will put you at about $9,000 per person for the Super Bowl experience.